strike note: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/TechnicalTechnical/Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “strike note” mean?
In acoustics and organ building: the fundamental tone produced by a bell or organ pipe when it is first struck or sounded.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In acoustics and organ building: the fundamental tone produced by a bell or organ pipe when it is first struck or sounded.
A metaphorical term for the dominant or most prominent theme or tone in a discussion, piece of writing, or situation. In music, it refers specifically to the primary, clearly audible pitch of a struck object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The technical term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight preference in British English for the metaphorical/literary usage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties. Exclusively found in technical (musicology, acoustics) or elevated literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “strike note” in a Sentence
the strike note of [NOUN]to sound/have [DETERMINER] strike noteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strike note” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The strike note of the Great Bell is a deep C.
- The organ builder adjusted the pipe to correct its strike note.
American English
- The bell's strike note resonated across the quad.
- Acousticians measure the precise frequency of a bell's strike note.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in papers on acoustics, musicology, and organology.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain: describing the acoustics of bells, carillons, and certain organ pipes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strike note”
- Confusing it with the idiom 'strike a note' (e.g., 'strike a nostalgic note').
- Using it as a general synonym for 'important point' outside of acoustic/musical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in technical contexts related to bells and organ pipes.
Only in a very self-consciously literary or metaphorical way. In standard academic writing, use 'main point', 'thesis', or 'central theme' instead.
The strike note is the primary, lowest pitch you hear when an object is struck. Harmonics (or overtones) are higher-pitched sounds that ring simultaneously, creating the bell's unique timbre.
No, that is a coincidence of the word 'strike'. Here, 'strike' means 'to hit', as in striking a bell.
In acoustics and organ building: the fundamental tone produced by a bell or organ pipe when it is first struck or sounded.
Strike note is usually technical/formal/literary in register.
Strike note: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪk ˌnəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪk ˌnoʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strike the right note (idiomatically related, but not the same term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a clock tower bell: the moment it is STRUCK, the main NOTE you hear is its STRIKE NOTE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND/PHENOMENON IS A MESSAGE (The 'strike note' is the main statement the bell makes).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'strike note' primarily used?